The only thing Worse than waiting in line for food at Jazz Fest remains waiting in line at a local restaurant during Jazz Fest.
Fortunately, for locals and out-of-towners alike this column identifies two refreshing new faces on the culinary scene. Their new menu offerings will delight and accommodate more diners’ diverse tastes during Jazz Fest and afterwards. If you don’t have reservations with restaurants that require them, they are probably already booked. The following two new venues are prepared for your walk-in business with extended hours.
If you want to eat immediately after leaving the Fair Grounds, head to Angeli on Decatur (1141 Decatur Street; 566-0077). Angeli’s motto is “Bar and Diner With a Twist.” The liquor license has been applied for. For now, only the truly hungry need cross this doorstep. This establishment recently moved from an initial start at the downtown end of Magazine Street. Another Angeli location is rumored to be in the works.
Immediately one will notice the original decor filled with angelic images immersed in a funky coffee shop or chic art bar atmosphere. Listen for the assortment of music, rolling from Hendrix guitar riffs to anything possibly recorded by Blue Note Records and other ambient selections. Random images. classic films and music videos are projected on to the wall behind the bar. Where else can one “people watch” scenes of soused tourists stumbling among the Goth rockers of lower Decatur?
Built upon a foundation of Mediterranean influenced flavors, Angeli serves up a large menu with breakfast, lunch and dinner items 24 hours a day. Their complete menu will be ready when you decide which meal of the day is appropriate. Don’t overlook their dessert offerings or coffee drinks to finish any satisfying meal.
Food served around the clock will meet any festival attendee’s schedule. Angeli’s hard working staff is still working our a few kinks, but already celebrates its great success in a number of fine dishes.
For breakfast, stare on this side of the Atlantic Ocean beginning with the All-American Breakfast Pizza ($5,50). This eight-inch personal pie includes crispb3ajn sprinkled’ among scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage and cheddar cheese baked on a crisp bread crust, garnished with fresh tomatoes in an appropriate butter sauce.
Spread gourmet crème cheeses ($3) of Spinach-Artichoke, sundried Tomato or smoked salmon on a plain, sesame or poppyseed toasted bagel. One of many Mediterranean inspired dishes includes the favorite Aegean Omelet ($5.25), which unites three fluffy eggs filled with caramelized onions, fresh sliced tomatoes and chopped bell peppers. One can accessorize Waffles and Pancakes ($3.25) with pecans, fresh berries or bananas ($1.29). Add an egg any style for ($.99).
Lunch standouts include the Angeli Special ($6.25) The kitchen angels quickly assemble a sandwich composed of Moziarella cheese, pesto sauce., pancetta (Italian bacon), roasted peppers, spinach, tomatoes and Angeli Mix.’ All specialty sandwiches’ are served with. a Mediterranean pasta salad. Build your Own small ($6,50) or large ($9.50) pizza, choosing from more than 21 unique toppings ($.60-$1).
Seven different Specialty Pizzas ($9.25-$14.25) offer options loaded with flavor. Don’t be afraid of their most explosive flavorful specialty, Lucifer’s Special pizza, small ($9.25) or large ($13.50). Prepare to submit to a pie tempting one with roasted bell peppers, caramelized onions, diced ham, chunks of Italian sausage and thick pepperoni slices all covered in mozzarella cheese in a spicy marinara sauce. No sins counted for adding optional anchovies and jalapenos.
Gabriel’s Wake-Up Call ($4.00) of Espresso, ice cream and Coca-Cola already soars above the outstanding coffee, soda, milkshake, smoothie and fresh juice choices. Full take out and catering are available.
Former food critic Lee Yates has synthesized years of restaurant experience to open Cafe Rani (895-2500;2917 Mag- azine Street) with partners Ann Jemison and Angele Darling, who founded the Rani concept in 1990 with their establishment just north of the lake.
When this establishment opened five months ago, it filled the need for affordable epicurean delights and innovative urban culinary renewal. On any given day one will spot local chefs, wait staff and other culinary luminaries dining on dishes that have been missing on local menus. Cafe Rani now anchors the daily activity of the Magazine Commons development.
The Spinach and walnut Caribe salad ($7.95) builds upon generous ingredients of baked chicken, cabbage, carrots, bacon bits, mushrooms, crumbled bleu cheese, crisp banana chips, mixed greens cut daily and toasted walnuts tossed in a honey lemon vinaigrette.
One cannot go wrong by ordering the Oriental Chicken salad ($6.95) that overflows on a large plate with baked chicken breast, sesame seeds, seasoned chow mein noodles, crisp mung bean sprouts, green onions, the proper bed of lettuce and a zesty peanut dressing.
Filled with indecision? One may also opt for the traditional Cobb salad ($7.95) or dynamic Curried Chicken salad ($6.95). Many salads on this menu pull together a wide variety of ingredients one might not think would create such complex and smooth flavors.
Grilled sandwich offerings of the menu showcase the Cobb Club sandwich ($6.95), Grilled Chicken Quesadilla ($6.95) and Ham and Smoked Gouda sandwich ($5.75). One of four recent daily specials included a delightful Shrimp and Pesto Gnocchi ($11.95). All daily specials are priced under $13. Weekend diners find an added brunch menu selection including a choice of three omelets ($6.95),croissant sandwiches. ($6.95) and crisp malted waffles with fruit ($6.95). Finish any meal with a choice of five desserts including a charming slice of Key Lime Pie ($3.25).
Cafe Rani has also upgraded local coffee roasting standards by using only locally roasted coffee each week. Choose from a number of original coffee drinks and home brewed teas. Peruse a wine list that offers more than fifteen wines by the glass.
Find a shady spot in Cafe Rani’s courtyard on your way to or from the Fair Grounds or call ahead for take-out of any quantity. Thank the staff for their youthful attention to detail and energy to improve any diner’s experience. Cafe Rani is open for lunch and dinner Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10p.m. and Fri- day-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p;m.
In last month’s column I incorrectly listed The Storyville District (125 Bourbon Street) phone number. The correct phone number is 504-410-1000.
